About

(From The Early County News)

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Early County’s Grady Holman Jr., is one of Georgia’s most decorated WWII heroes. For his valor, he was one of 16 inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame during the second official ceremony of the organization in 2014.

The Veterans Hall of Fame was organized in 2013 with the sole purpose of honoring the valor, achievement and service of Georgia’s veterans. Approximately 15 Georgia Military Veterans are inducted at an awards banquet each November.

During the induction and presentation of the certificate to the Holman family nine years ago, Senator Bruce Thompson (now Georgia’s Labor Commissioner) read the following commendation:

“United States Army Captain Grady Holman Jr. from Blakely is inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame for his bravery and constant acts of selfless sacrifice while serving as an Infantry Company Commander during World War II.

“On 12 December 1944 in Germany, Captain Holman was leading his company on an attack against a strong enemy position when withering artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire began inflicting numerous casualties upon his men and thus temporarily halting the advance of his company’s attack. Realizing the urgency of getting his troops out from under the devastating shell-fire, Captain Holman constantly exposed himself to the enemy’s fire in order to evacuate the wounded and to reorganize his battered men. Armed only with a pistol, Captain Holman personally led a renewed attack upon the numerically superior enemy force and was the first to reach the hostile emplacement.

“His display of undaunted and focused bravery immediately inspired his troops and they soon rallied to secure the objective which resulted in more than 100 enemy casualties.

“Captain Holman served throughout the European Theater during World War II. He was wounded on three separate occasions resulting in the award of three Purple Hearts for his heroic and inspirational action on 12 December 1944.

Captain Holman was awarded our Nation’s second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.”

Holman was married to Mary Lodge Holman until the time of her death. They were the parents of Nancy Holman Mock, Celia Holman, Lodge Holman and Matthew Holman.

Grady Holman Jr., was a lifelong resident of Blakely and Early County. He passed away on March 14, 2010, at the age of 93.